WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Next week, Taiwan and the United States will meet for the second time in the economic dialogue that began last year. The purpose of the session was to discuss the increasing Chinese influence on Taiwan.

This announcement is made days following a virtual meeting between U.S. president Joe Biden, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Xi told the Americans that Taiwanese independence supporters were playing with fire after the meeting.

The State Department stated that Jose Fernandez will head the U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue.

According to the statement, the dialog would be held under the auspices the American Institute in Taiwan and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in America (TECRO), who act as their respective unofficial embassies.

The statement stated that “Our partnership is built upon strong bilateral trade and investment as well as people-to-people connections, common defense of freedom, shared democratic values, and solid two-way commerce and investment.”

Taiwan is hopeful that the dialogue will eventually lead to a free trade agreement with the United States. It also praised last year’s first meeting as an important step.

The increased U.S. involvement with Taipei was part of the Obama administration’s expanded engagement, much to the annoyance of Beijing which claimed Taiwan as its own.

Long-delayed negotiations on a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement were held virtually in July. Taiwan expressed hope that an FTA would soon be possible.

Taiwan lifted its ban on imports of pork with ractopamine in it last year. The move was an important step toward a deal between Washington and Taiwan. A referendum is scheduled for December.

Taiwan is the world’s largest producer of semiconductors. A shortage has caused supply chain problems worldwide and has affected car makers.